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14 June 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Suplied
Jeremiah Hlahla, a UFS student completing his PhD in Botany at the University of Debrecen as part of an exchange initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Mobility Programme.
As part of an exchange initiative facilitated by the Erasmus+ Mobility Programme, Jeremiah Hlahla, a student at the University of the Free State (UFS), is nearing the completion of his PhD studies at the University of Debrecen in Hungary. Hlahla’s journey, which began in February 2024 and is set to conclude in July 2024, has been a remarkable learning opportunity. “As a first time-traveller to Europe, I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with people from different countries and cultures,” he said.
The benefits of international collaboration
Hlahla is currently pursuing a PhD in Botany, focusing on plant stress physiology. “My current PhD project investigates the physiological, biochemical and morphological responses of vegetable-type soybean, or edamame, to combined drought and heat stress,’’ he explained. He considers the University of Debrecen the ideal institution to complete his research due to its extensive expertise and resources in similar projects. He noted that his colleagues at Debrecen conduct significant work on plant protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, including salt and drought stress, as well as proteins and amino acids in barley and other legumes.
Given the vast knowledge available on similar projects, Hlahla has found substantial engagement with his work at the University of Debrecen. “Upon arrival, I delivered an introductory lecture presenting my UFS project on the synergistic effects of combined drought and heat stress on the physiology and biochemistry of edamame. It was an engaging session as everyone could relate to my work and asked many questions,’’ he said.
Insights gained from the exchange
Hlahla has also gained valuable lessons that will assist him in his research career, including biotechnology and physiology tools. “I learned how to prepare samples and use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) to quantify proteins and amino acids,’’ he said. These techniques are beneficial not only for his current work but will also support future soybean research.
As his experience at the University of Debrecen nears its end, Hlahla reflects on the collaborations and friendships he has formed, which stand out as a significant highlight.
Facilitation session for Extended Curriculum Project
2009-03-13
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The Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently held an academic facilitation session in its Extended Curriculum Project for first-year Sociology students on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. The purpose of this project is to improve the throughput and pass rates in the B.A. and B.Soc.Sc. extended programmes, as the failure and dropout rates in the faculty are high, especially among first-year students and in the extended programmes themselves. This will be done by establishing a support system for students in their first year of study to help them with and support them in integrating skills with the academic content of the mainstream modules. These extended programmes were introduced in 2005 in an effort to provide students who are not sufficiently prepared for higher education with a better opportunity to be successful in their studies. This year the focus will be on the first-year students in these extended programmes. Pictured are the project facilitators: Ms Melanie Nel (2nd from left), Ms Puleng Maleho (4th from left) and Ms Bianca de Vos (6th from left), with some of the students.
Photo: Mangaliso Radebe |